Tropical sprue | |
---|---|
Other names | Postinfectious tropical malabsorption[1] |
Specialty | Gastroenterology |
Symptoms | Diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss |
Complications | Malabsorption, anaemia |
Diagnostic method | Intestinal histology |
Differential diagnosis | Coeliac disease, environmental enteropathy |
Treatment | Antibiotics, folate replacement |
Tropical sprue is a malabsorption disease commonly found in tropical regions, marked with abnormal flattening of the villi and inflammation of the lining of the small intestine.[1][2] It differs significantly from coeliac sprue. It appears to be a more severe form of environmental enteropathy.[3][4]